System and method for neurological injury detection, classification and subsequent injury amelioration

Abstract

A system (10) and method for detecting and analyzing neurological damage in an injured subject are provided using electrical nerve conduction analyses supported by a computing device (12). An appropriate neurologically protective pharmaceutical for that injury type and circumstances based on the result of said analyses is suggested.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 554,018 filed Mar. 17, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to the immediate treatment of neurological injuries. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for actively and passively detecting and analyzing neurological damage in an injured person using electrical and chemical analyses supported by a computer system and database, selecting an appropriate neurologically protective pharmaceutical for that injury type and circumstances based on the result of said analyses, and then delivering this pharmaceutical via direct injection, intravenous delivery, or other means into the person using components of the kit of which all the elements of the invention are a part.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There are approximately 500,000 new cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a system and method for detecting and analyzing neurological damage in an injured subject using nerve conduction analyses supported by a computing device. The system measures an electrical signal generated by placing an emitter and a detector in communication by a subject nerve path, which is indicative of conduction via the nerve path. The invention also provides a neurologically active pharmaceutical kit for immediate treatment to inhibit secondary neuronal damage. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a reliable and efficient tool for detecting and analyzing neurological damage and facilitating timely treatment to prevent further damage."

Problems solved by technology

The costs of severe TBI to the individual, family, and society are extremely high.

Extrapolation of the data from studies results in an estimated 26,000 trauma deaths per year, with another 20,000 to 45,000 patients suffering significant physical or neurobehavioral sequelae resulting in functional loss.

One can easily determine that TBI is an extraordinary medical care problem globally that is closely comparable in morbidity, mortality, and economic loss to human immunodeficiency virus infection; yet it is an understudied mechanism of morbidity and mortality.

Currently, there exists no system, process or method for treating such injuries at the scene of such incidents except for rudimentary techniques such as immobilization and physical stabilization.

While helpful, research has shown that cell death in the brain and spinal cord starts almost immediately.

Yet there is no present system or method for at least ameliorating such damage inside the treatment time window.

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